Patent GB-1090348-A (GB)
Title: Conveying machine
IPC: B65G49/04
Filed: 1965-09-29
Abstract: <PICT:1090348/C6-C7/1> <PICT:1090348/C6-C7/2> <PICT:1090348/C6-C7/3> <PICT:1090348/C6-C7/4> <PICT:1090348/C6-C7/5> <PICT:1090348/C6-C7/6> <PICT:1090348/C6-C7/7> <PICT:1090348/C6-C7/8> <PICT:1090348/C6-C7/9> <PICT:1090348/C6-C7/100> <PICT:1090348/C6-C7/111> <PICT:1090348/C6-C7/122> A conveying machine particularly for automatically conveying workpieces through a preselected sequential treating cycle for effecting electro-plating, comprises a stationary frame having an elongated base platform 54, Fig. 4, longitudinally spaced columns 56 braced at 58 to upright braces 60 and cross-members; a pair of vertically spaced rails 94, 98 each formed in a closed circuit supported at the top of the frame and above the braces 60, respectively; a plurality of work carriers each including a carriage frame 100 extending between and movable along the rails 94, 98, a carriage 118 movably and guidably mounted on the frame 100 for movement between raised and lowered positions and a work supporting arm assembly 136, 130 Fig. 5 on the carriage and extending laterally therefrom an elevator chassis 66 extending the length of the supporting frame and mounted on the columns 56 for movement between raised and lowered position; means in the form of lifting pads 184, 186 Fig. 16 for coacting with means in the form of rollers 188, 190 on each carriage 118 for moving selected carriages to and from raised and lowered positions in response to movement of the chassis 66; and advancing means in the form of pusher means 198, 224, Figs. 10 and 11 capable of engaging and intermittently and independently moving work carriers along the rails.  Work racks 140, mounted at 138 on the arms 136 of work carriers, can thus be raised and lowered in various treating tanks T1, T2, Fig. 1 moved through selected tanks and lifted from one tank and moved in a raised position to another tank for lowering thereinto, all in a preselected sequence.  The chassis 66 provided with guide rollers 68, 70 is raised and lowered by a double acting hydraulic lift cylinder 74, Fig. 2 the upper blank end of which is fixed to the underside of channel members 64 of the upper framework. The piston rod of the cylinder 74 is connected to a crosshead 78 vertically slidable in fixed guides 80.  The crosshead is connected by cables or chains 84 trained over pulley or sprocket assemblies 86.  One cable or chain passing over one assembly 86 is connected to the top of the chassis and the remaining cables or chains extend from the assemblies 86 horizontally and are connected to bars 90 slidably mounted for longitudinal reciprocation on top of the framework.  A series of lift chains 84 are connected at longitudinally spaced intervals to the bars 90 and are trained over pulleys or sprockets 88 to connect with the chassis and thus provide uniform lifting force along the length of the chassis 66.  The latter is under the control of upper and lower electric limit switches LS1 and LS2. The advancing means for the carriage frames 100 comprise pusher bars 198 at the top and bottom and each side of the framework. The top and bottom parts of bars 198 Figs. 10 and 11 are connected at each end of the framework by transfer chains 202 passing round sprockets 204.  The upper and lower sprockets 204 Fig. 3 at each end of the framework are mounted on a vertical shaft 206.  Dogs 224 are provided at spaced intervals along the bars 198 and chains 202 which dogs during reciprocation of the bars engage with pivoted pushers 226, Figs. 14 and 15 on the carriage frames 100. One bar 198 is connected to a double acting transfer cylinder 214 under the control of limit switches LS3, LS4, Fig. 11.  In order to raise and lower selected carriages 118 the chassis 66 has at positions opposite treatment stations either fixed or horizontally movable lifting pads 184, 186, respectively. The movable pads can be moved horizontally to be either aligned or out of alignment with rollers 188 or 190 on each carriage by means of angle-sectioned driving members 258 slidable longitudinally of the chassis by the operation of a double acting fluid actuated cylinder 264 and a walking beam 274 as described with reference to Figs. 17 and 18 (not shown), the movements being controlled by a switch LS5. When the carriage is in the raised position its roller 188 engages one of a number of supporting tracks 192.  At certain positions along the machine storage tracks 197 are provided and a carriage 118 is raised into a higher storage position by means of an auxiliary or storage lift 282 as described with reference to Fig. 19 and 20 (not shown).  A carriage 118 may be retained in storage position by a latching key 310 on the frame 100 engaging under a bight 316 Fig. 6 on the carriage.  The latching keys may be selectively operated by cylinders 324 on top of the machine frame and cams 320 on pivoted levers 322 as described with reference to Fig. 22 (not shown).  Each carriage 118 has rollers 126, Fig. 6 engaging guide members 102 of the frame 100 and has a fixed lateral arm 130 thereon.  Slidable longitudinally of the arm 130 is a slide member 136 carrying an article mounting bracket 138.  When the carriage is in a raised position the slide 136 is locked to the arm 130 by a pin 174 as described with reference to Fig. 8 (not shown).  Fixed to the underside of the arm is a V-pad 148 engageable with a conductor bar 150 Figs. 2 and 24 extending at selected positions along the machine and connected to an electrical source.  Another conductor bar 158 adjacent the bar 150 is also connected to an electrical source.  When the carriage is lowered the conductor bars, as desired, may be connected to articles supported on the bracket 138 via the pad 148, a pad 156 and cables 154 and 160.  The pad 156 is movable vertically on the arm and controls the locking of the slide 136 as described with reference to Fig. 8 (not shown).  When the carriage is lowered the slide 136 may be reciprocated on the arm 130 or the two may be given an oscillatory orbital motion by mechanism described with reference to Figs. 23, 25 and 26 (not shown).  A typical sequence of operations of various carriers is described with reference to Figs. 27 to 31 (not shown).